Unique technique to relieve left ventricular assist device electromagnetic interference with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 551 - 553
• Main Authors: Jin, Chengyue, Hsu, Joshua, Frenkel, Daniel, Jacobson, Jason T., Iwai, Sei, Ferrick, Aileen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-02-2021
• Subjects: Congestive heart failure; Defibrillators; electromagnetic interference; Fibrillation; Heart failure; Heart transplantation; HFrEF; implantable cardiovertere defibrillator; left ventricular assist device; Ventricle; implantable cardiovertere defibrillator; left ventricular assist device; electromagnetic interference; HFrEF
• ISSN: 1045-3873; 1540-8167
• DOI: 10.1111/jce.14840

We introduced a simple technique to eliminate electromagnetic interference between a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). A 43‐year‐old male with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction who had an ICD presented with decompensated heart failure and received an LVAD as a bridge to transplant. Remote monitoring showed persistent atrial fibrillation causing an inappropriate ICD shock leading to a decision to disable shock therapies. However, an in‐office interrogation was unsuccessful due to electromagnetic interference. Patient was instructed to extend his arm above his head on the ipsilateral side of the ICD, thus increasing the distance between LVAD and ICD, eliminating the interaction to allow reprogramming of the device.